Rockets getting inside play they wanted from Dwight Howard

The Rockets more effectively got the ball inside to Dwight Howard through most of Wednesday’s game, with Howard producing his best offensive game of the season.

Howard made his first 11 shots before the Mavericks switched to double-teaming and zoning inside. He made just 1 of 5 shots in the fourth quarter, but his effectiveness in the low post and the Rockets’ greatly improved passing on lobs offered signs that he could be a more dynamic part of the offense.

“He played great,” said Chandler Parsons, who had three lobs to Howard among his career-best 11 assists. “He was finishing. We were rolling with the lobs. We had it going early and we have to stick with that.”

Rockets coach Kevin McHale also liked the offense that came from the threat of Howard scoring inside. In the fourth quarter, however, the Rockets missed many of the shots that came from the defense on Howard inside, making just 2 of 10 3-pointers.

“He got the ball down low and was very good with it,” McHale said. “He scored down there, collapsed their defense, threw it out. We could play inside-out in the post. He had really good rhythm tonight.

“They go zone and we swing it around, we get open shots. They’re packing the paint. At a certain point, you’re going to have to make some of those shots to loosen it up. We have good shooters.’